Even experienced hiring managers sometimes make mistakes in the hiring process. Here are a few simple tips to help you avoid making one or more of them…

1. Failure to prep

Failing to prepare your recruitment process can mean trouble for everyone involved. By failing to prepare, you are, as the saying goes, preparing to fail.

Before you embark on finding great candidates you need to know the steps you are going to take to get there. Download our preparing the recruitment process guide for a more in-depth guide on how to hire for your needs. Preparing the recruitment process means delving deep into your recruitment needs and organising what you’re looking for, how many interview steps will be taken, who will be involved in the recruitment process and when you are looking to hire.

By organising your recruitment process, you can keep things on track and stay motivated to find the right fit for the position.

2. Talking rather than listening

The recruitment process is all about finding the right person to fit your role by getting to know the people you are interviewing. You can’t possibly get to know anyone by just talking to them – you have to listen. No one’s CV has all the information you need to properly get to know someone and a piece of paper can’t accurately reflect someone’s personality, soft skills or cultural fit. Listening to your candidates allows you to get a feeling for why they’re there, why they want to work for you and what makes them qualified for the role. Listening will also give you the chance to get to know them on a more personal level, so you can judge whether they will fit into the dynamics of the office.

3. Rushing the process

Although “time kills all deals” you should never rush the recruitment process. The recruitment process should be conducted by people who know what they are doing – following a prepared plan to make sure the process is conducted with precision. Take as much time as you need but don’t keep people hanging and waiting in the balance – keep people undated with the recruitment process, if someone is not right for the position tell them (don’t keep them as backups).

4. Holding out for the perfect candidate

There is no such thing as the perfect candidate for any position and you need to be flexible with your job description and the skills and experience you are looking for. Be realistic about what you really need for the position. Finding someone who is willing, passionate and driven can sometimes be better for your business than someone who is fully qualified with an all singing all dancing CV. Weigh up each candidate and get a second opinion, if necessary – you can always add steps into your recruitment plan to make sure you’ve made the right decision.

5. Relying on applicants

By only considering active candidates when you are hiring you are limiting yourself to a small group of people – who may or may not be qualified for the role. By taking the right measures into targeting passive, as well as active candidates when looking for new talent you are broadening your search and making it more precise at the same time. if you’re not sure where to start with passive candidates get some advice from a head hunter – they will have the knowledge and experience to offer guidance and advice on targeting the right people in the right way.

6. Only recruiting when you have a job opening

If you’re only recruiting when you have a job opening you’re behind the competition. You should always be thinking one step ahead and preparing for the need of extra members of the team before you desperately need them. Try making interviewing an on-going part of your monthly responsibilities – this way you constantly meet potential team members and have the contacts to call upon when you need to.

7. Underestimating the cost of a hiring mistake

Do you know how much recruitment really costs? It’s not only the cost to find someone but also the cost in time, energy and an open headcount. The cost of a hiring mistake should never be underestimated. The time it takes to hire someone along with the cost of keeping them with you is often more than you think it is. Take the time to work some of these figures out and we’re sure you’ll be shocked. Take the right steps to make the right decision so it doesn’t cost you more than it needs to.